Suture lock

Abstract

A suture lock according to the present invention provides sufficiently secures a suture thread in place in a quick and efficient manner. It eliminates the need for a laproscopic surgeon to tie complex or multi-step knots. The suture lock generally comprises a suture lock body having a suture channel that allows a suture thread to be drawn into the suture lock body. A plurality of teeth extends into an opening of the suture channel in such a manner that an inserted suture thread will be locked in place. In addition, a guide portion eases insertion of a suture thread free end by simplifying relative rotational adjustment of the lock. An embodiment of the present invention may be fabricated from a material or materials that naturally dissolve within the human body.

1 . A suture lock comprising:
 a suture lock body having
 a front surface generally opposed from a back surface, 
 a left surface extending at least partially between and coupled to said front surface and said back surface, 
 a right surface generally opposed from said left surface, said right surface and said left surface defining a width therebetween, 
 a bottom surface extending between and coupled to said front surface and said back surface, and extending between and coupled to said right surface and said left surface, and 
 a top surface generally opposed from said bottom surface, said top surface and said bottom surface defining a height therebetween; 
   a first channel formed in said right surface, said first channel extending longitudinally through said top surface and through said bottom surface, said first channel extending laterally between said front surface and said back surface, said first channel extending between a first open end at said right surface and a first terminal end, and said first channel defining generally opposed front and back right guide wings;   a suture locking mechanism disposed in said first channel, said suture locking mechanism comprising a plurality of longitudinal teeth wherein each tooth has a longitudinal edge extending from said first open end of said first channel toward said first terminal end of said first channel, wherein the longitudinal edges of at least two of said plurality of teeth converge, and all of said longitudinal edges taper generally towards each other from the first open end of the first channel towards the first terminal end of the first channel; and   a suture attachment site separated from said suture locking mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . A suture lock according to  claim 1 , said plurality of longitudinal teeth comprising at least one pair of symmetrical teeth, wherein a first tooth of said pair is disposed on an opposing side of said first channel from a second tooth of said pair. 
     
     
         3 . A suture lock according to  claim 2 , said at least one pair of symmetrical teeth having substantially coplanar longitudinal edges. 
     
     
         4 . A suture lock according to  claim 2 , said plurality of longitudinal teeth comprising a plurality of pairs of symmetrical teeth. 
     
     
         5 . A suture lock according to  claim 1 , said converging longitudinal edges being at least substantially coplanar. 
     
     
         6 . A suture lock according to  claim 1 , wherein said suture attachment site comprises a through bore. 
     
     
         7 . A suture lock according to  claim 1 , said front right guide wing and said back right guide wing being asymmetric. 
     
     
         8 . A suture lock according to  claim 7 , said front right guide wing comprising a sloped top surface. 
     
     
         9 . A suture lock according to  claim 1 , said first open end being laterally wider than said first terminal end. 
     
     
         10 . A suture lock according to  claim 1 , said suture lock comprising a material that naturally dissolves within a human body. 
     
     
         11 . A suture lock according to  claim 1 , said suture lock body comprising a unitary body. 
     
     
         12 . The suture lock according to  claim 1 , at least two of said teeth located closer to said first terminal end than said first open end. 
     
     
         13 . The suture lock according to  claim 12 , at least two pairs of said teeth located closer to said first terminal end than to said first open end. 
     
     
         14 . A suture lock according to  claim 1 , said suture lock further comprising:
 a second channel formed in said top surface, said second channel extending longitudinally through said left surface and through said terminal end of said first channel, said second channel extending laterally between said front surface and said back surface, said second channel extending between a second open end at said top surface and a second terminal end, and said second channel forming generally opposed front and back top guide wings.   
     
     
         15 . A suture lock according to  claim 14 , said first open end being laterally wider than said first terminal end, and
 said second open end being laterally wider than said second terminal end.   
     
     
         16 . A suture lock according to  claim 14 , said height measured through said front top guide wing being less than said height measured through said back top guide wing. 
     
     
         17 . A suture lock according to  claim 1 , said locking mechanism comprising a predetermined grit of abrasive bonded to at least a portion of said first channel. 
     
     
         18 . A suture lock comprising:
 a suture lock body having a first channel formed therein, said first channel having a first open end and a first terminal end; and   a suture locking mechanism disposed in said first channel;   wherein said first channel is disposed between asymmetric guide wings.   
     
     
         19 . A suture lock according to  claim 18 , said suture locking mechanism comprising a plurality of longitudinal teeth wherein each tooth has a longitudinal edge extending from said first open end of said first channel toward said first terminal end of said first channel, wherein the longitudinal edges of at least two of said plurality of teeth converge, and all of said longitudinal edges taper generally towards each other from the first open end of the first channel towards the first terminal end of the first channel.